Did Reid's troubled sons make him more willing to give Vick a second chance?

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 13, 2009, 9:54 PM EDT

So I took Florio Jr. to football practice tonight and then came back home in order to monitor ESPN and the Internet for any Vick-related developments. And just as I was leaving to pick up Florio Jr., e-mails began to come in linking Vick to the Eagles.

WTKR-TV in Norfolk was making the link, as was Dan Sileo of WDAE radio in Tampa, who apparently got the news via trainer Tom Shaw.

But after all of the recent false alarms regarding Vick, I opted to hold off on posting a “Rumors fly of Vick to Philly” item pending further developments.

And, naturally, as I was watching the last few minutes of Florio Jr.’s practice, all hell broke loose.

I ask Gregg Rosenthal to mind the store, since two of Florio Jr.’s buddies are spending the night here and I had to feed the trio, lest they consume the furniture and carpeting. So it was from the local Chinese buffet feed bag establishment that I ate Kung Pao chicken with one hand and worked the Palm Pre with the other.

As Florio Jr. and his two buddies were yukking it up over stuff that 13-year-olds think is funny (along with 44-year-olds who still possess the mindset of 13-year-olds), it occurred to me that Eagles coach Andy Reid — the final authority on personnel in Philly — was undoubtedly inclined to give Vick a second chance after his prison term because Reid has two sons of his own who eventually will need someone to be willing to give them a second chance when their legal troubles are behind them.

Though I’m not psychologist, don’t play one on TV, never have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, and never intend to, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Reid is in the unique position to understand the value of a second chance.

Oh, other coaches were willing to give Vick that second chance. But Reid was probably more anxious than the rest of them to help persuade others that men and women who have broken the law in the past can still be productive, responsible citizens in the future.

UPDATE: In Thursday night’s post-game press conference, Reid said that he has seen people close to him get second chances, per Sheil Kapadia of philly.com. And as Tom Curran pointed out a little bit ago, Reid said on July 28 that “I’m big on second chances at this phase in my life.”

I don’t think Reid had the final say in this matter and I think this is one of the biggest examples of you reading wayyyy too much into things, Florio. Reid makes a differentiation between BUSINESS and FEELINGS… try to do the same.

pleaseeeeeeeeeeee…joe banner just wants more attention on his eagles. he cant stand any other team having more spotlight. well he’ll sure enjoy the spotlight when the iggles miss out on the superbowl and the questions come in if he regrets signing vick

WTF. What do Any Reids kids have any bearing on Vick….
How do they expect this Vick POS to learn the WestCoast offense, as a QB, WR or RB. The guy couldn’t even find a second receiver when he played in ATL.??? He couldn’t read a blitz. You think he could play running back?? No upside to this move.
He’s fast, he’s quick. Maybe they’ll use him as the guy who runs out to pickup the kicking tee??

I’ve been an Eagles fan for years and I have never been as saddened as I am tonight. I would rather they tie the Lion’s record for futility than sign Vick.
Mr. Laurie I am sickened by you permitting your team to sign this scum.

Who the hell knows? Really, as far as second chances go…Reid’s sons ( the elder son in particular) is an un-rehab-able heroin junkie who already blew his second chance.
Vick is a depraved, twisted sociopath who engaged in and funded torture of man’s best friend. Oh, and he allso knowingly passed on Herpes to women. Great guy.
When it comes to intent, Donte’ Stallworth is far more deserving of a second chance than this vile piece of subhuman waste.

This is a stretch, Florio, and…
“But after all of the recent false alarms regarding Vick, I opted to hold off on posting a “Rumors fly of Vick to Philly” item pending further developments.”
… this is an excuse. What was stopping you from posting the rumors for the fifteen other teams you were posting about? I guess when you miss a scoop, you’re holding off.
I love your site, but you have to learn that it’s okay to not be the first on the scene. You can stick to sensationalism and rumor mongering better than any other outlet!

Sooo happy the Eagles signed him. As a Giants fan, this is great. Instant distraction and media frenzy for the Eagles. Couldn’t be better. Another pathetic desperate move by a desperate pathetic franchise.

You talk about here today, gone tomorrow.
The so called “Wildcat” will leave the NFL faster than Pacman’s money at a strip club.
Anyone notice that the second half of the season, everyone quit trying it on the Ravens.
I’m sure all the other teams have watched the Ravens versus “Wildcat” game films by now.

I think his sons had something to do with the decision. I also think that his inability to notice that his own children were out of control will blind him to Vick’s own out of control behavior. An “understanding” coach is not what Vick needs. He needs someone who will make it quite clear his world ends if he makes even one tiny mistake (like hanging out with thugs or wannabe thugs).

I find it odd that people frequent this site and then leave posts because they don’t like Florio, who in essence “IS” PFT.
I don’t always agree with Florio, but you get insight and perspective here you don’t find anywhere else.
Oh by the way, he’s right on this post too.

What position will Vick play? Kolb was a second rounder, A.J. Feeley is a very capable backup in Andy Reid’s west coast offense, and Vick proved in Atlanta that he can’t run the west coast offense. Vick is just an outrageously athletic backup-level QB. That athleticism fooled people into thinking he could be an NFL starter. He’s never completed more than 57% of his passes, he’s never thrown for more than 3,000 yards, and he has a 7:5 TD:INT ration. That’s NOT a good QB.

Reid sons are bad people because he spends long days at the office. After years that takes a toll. Second chance would be him retiring to help his sons, not just talk about it.
Let the games begin. Check out this Michael Vick site.http://www.smackmyvickup.com

Could you please stop talking about your kids life. This site is about pro football talk. Not some guy and the goings on about his child. STOP PIMPING YOUR CHILD. talk about the stuff that got you to where you are now, Florio. You never used to talk about your child now its an everyday type thing. CUT IT OUT.

southernboi727 says:
August 13, 2009 11:25 PM
Could you please stop talking about your kids life. This site is about pro football talk. Not some guy and the goings on about his child. STOP PIMPING YOUR CHILD. talk about the stuff that got you to where you are now, Florio. You never used to talk about your child now its an everyday type thing. CUT IT OUT.
————
Actually, his kid likely has lots to do with where he is now. At least the guy is an active dad who is proud of his kid. The comments didn’t take away from the story and actually relates on a level.
Go play in traffic.

Who the hell knows why the Andy Reid did this, it sure wasn’t because Vick can play QB, we can safely rule that one out. His sons had nothing to do with this, it is pure conjecture (and bullshit) to suggest it.
Its just bad karma all the way, the Eagles had a chance to compete for the NFC title, these distractions aren’t worth what Vick brings to the team.

I’ve lost a lot of respect for Reid. You’d think with dirt-bag kids needing his continual baby-sitting, that he would steer clear of complete deviant like Vick. Let’s not forget what Vick did ( not the least of which being drowning and electrocuting canines and enjoying the hell outta it, and let’s remember how old this freak was – a man 10 years at least, into adulthood.) – Andy must be feeling the pressure to win at all costs this season. I’ve seen it happenn to the best of ’em, though.

It’s no wonder that franchises like this haven’t won an NFL title in 50 years! The vast majority of NFL teams wouldn’t give this FELON a tender at the veteran minimum, but the Iggles gave this thug a $7mil contract??? Couldn’t have been jammed down the throats of a more deserving fan base…Iggle fans